Vaniel, My Heart

Vaniel, My Heart
Chapter 24: Chapter 24 - When the Cat Escapes
by Sienna
Disclaimer: All familiar characters are owned by JRR Tolkien and are used without permission. No monies are being made from this work. Original characters are part of the story and owned by the author.

Vaniel, My Heart
by Sienna Dawn


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 24 - When the Cat Escapes

Daylight was filtering through the lacy clouds above Minas Tirith and a cool March air rolled down from the White Mountains. Birds chirped, and the city was beginning to stir.

Still nestled in their private cocoon, Haldir and Vaniel slept, their arms twined about each other, their breathing slow and regular.

But inside the Royal House things were beginning to stir, boding ill for the elven couple.

Aladwyn had already sent word to her brother that Imrahil traveled to Minas Tirith and would arrive within hours. Armed with this information, Eodwyn had sought out Elladan, wishing to strike before Imrahil entered the city. Just now both lords were taking a stroll in the gardens outside the Royal House, Elladan deftly manouvering around Eodwyn's dangerously pointed questions.

Studying the man walking beside him, Elladan asked pointedly, "Eodwyn, mean you to marry the Lady Vaniel and then press your claim for Dol Amroth? Is this your plan?" Elladan's calm voice betrayed none of the distaste he felt. This man, a man he had called friend for many years, was going to use Vaniel against his own kin. Waiting patiently, he stared ahead of him.

"I mean to make her wife to me, yes, Elladan, but not because she is Imrahil's daugher, but because I have grown to love her."

At this declaration, Elladan turned disbelieving eyes upon Eodwyn, his grey gaze scrutinizing Eodwyn's face. "But you do not know the Lady well enough to love her, Eodwyn. Beside, Haldir will not give her up to you or any other. I have already told you this many times over."

Eodwyn smiled, "But he has. He gave me leave to court her and even asked for my protection while she bides in the city."

Elladan's eyes narrowed, "If he did this, Eodwyn, and I suspect he did this for reasons you know nothing about, be warned that Vaniel's heart lies elsewhere. If you wish to press your case for Dol Amroth, do so, but I caution you to not use Vaniel as your foil. It will only bring disaster upon you and your House." Elladan's voice was sad and weary, for he knew the man would not take his advice.

Eodwyn laughed, "Still the same, are you not?" And he saw that Elladan did not comprehend. "They say, "go not to the elves for advice, for they will say both yes and no.' " Laughing, Eodwyn turned to depart, but was stayed a moment by Elladan's response.

"We say yea and nay because we ponder all the consequences of our actions, Eodwyn. Have you done this?"

Eodwyn turned at once, his back rigid at the insinuation from the tall elf before him, "And I suppose the elves have made wiser decisions than Men? Why have all the most important decisions of the fate of elves led only to tragedy and suffering, even plundering Middle Earth into war?" Eodwyn's blue eyes flashed.

Calmly and sadly Elladan shook his head, "Nay, this is how you see us, Eodwyn, and not how history is. But this is not the time for this talk," as he tried to sway his friend toward a small well-trod path back to the Royal House.

But Eodwyn's blood was hot and he would not be swayed. "Yes, and this is what all elves say when they are cornered thus, 'now is not the time to discuss such matters'.

Elladan watched Eodwyn's outburst quietly. This was the reason Elessar had not honored this House with a Princedom. Eodwyn was too unstable and Aladwyn was...well, Elladan reflected, Alladwyn had more metal to her than the finest mithril blade and she would make a better regent than her brother, but she too was touched by the shadow of madness that relentlessly pursued this great and noble House. And of course, there was the matter of their distrust of the Eldar.

Elladan sighed and spoke softly, "Eodwyn, let us come inside and talk this over a hearty meal for I am hungry."

Eodwyn calmed and shook his head, "Forgive me, my friend. My blood runs hot these days."

Elladan said nothing and turned to go back but realized too late that Eodwyn was following the wrong bend. Calling urgently, "Eodwyn, no!" He stood rooted to the ground as Eodwyn parted a thick patch of brambles and stepped into the hidden grove where Vaniel and Haldir lay asleep.

Elladan shook his head and took Eodwyn by the arm, forcibly dragging him back, but not before the man had issued a shout, "What is this!?" His voice roared and in moments Elladan heard the clink of metal as armed guards from the Royal House ran into the garden, following Eodwyn's voice.

At the sound of Eodwyn's shout, Haldir stirred and the haze of sleep lifted from his eyes. Instantly alert, he crouched and saw Elladan and Eodwyn towering above him. Stirring awake, he could hear Vaniel and in a moment Haldir had retrieved her dress and covered her with it before turning to the stunned face that watched him with cold hatred.

"So," began Eodwyn, "You give me leave to court the Lady, while you take her as doxy?" Eodwyn's voice was cold as were his eyes, but his hand lay on the scabbard of his sword.

Haldir rose and stood defiantly, forgetting his nakedness and stared at the man, his face haughty, his eyes burning with a silent warning which Elladan did not mistake.

"Eodwyn," said Elladan quickly, "let us leave."

But Eodwyn resisted and turned to see his men had arrived, "Take him," he ordered and pointed to Haldir. "Nay, take them both!"

Elladan's face registered shock. "Eodwyn! You cannot do this!"

Haldir crouched and made to block the armed guards that made their way into the grove. Just then they were suddenly confronted by two armed elves whose silent approach had been missed by the Gondorian guards, and who dropped before Haldir, their arrows aimed at the men.

Elladan groaned, pushing past the Gondorian guards. Standing before the grim-faced Ramion and Nithoniel, he turned to Haldir and whispered, "Tell them to lower their arrows, Haldir."

Haldir's eyes did not turn to Elladan, but Elladan knew the tall Marchwarden had heard him clearly.

Now facing Eodwyn, Elladan said loudly, "Eodwyn! Order your men to lower their weapons!" He walked past a defiant Haldir, and toward Vaniel, who was now awake and sitting upright, holding her gown to her chest. Elladan could see the rising panic in her golden eyes.

But Eodwyn was not so easily put off, "You lying scum!" he spat at Haldir who still stood proudly before the man. "You gave me your pledge to not interfere." Eodwyn's eyes burned into Haldir's face, who remained impassive.

Towering over Eodwyn, Haldir's face was a mask of indifference and chilly composure. He knew that in physical combat he held the advantage, but he feared for Vaniel. Would the man hurt her? Sapphire elven eyes locked onto Eodwyn's green orbs which glittered with a cold hatred.

It was now that Haldir answered Eodwyn, " 'Tis a good thing, Eodwyn of Gondor, that my warriors and yours are here to protect you, for it not, I would snap your neck with my hands." Haldir's voice was calm, unaffected, but oh so cold!

Upon hearing Haldir's challenge, Elladan's head snapped 'round toward the Marchwarden. "Haldir!" shouted Elladan. "Help the Lady Vaniel."

Although Haldir made to obey Elladan's command, he did not have time to do so, for with a hissed curse, Eodwyn lunged at Haldir, taking him down onto the soft earth. Ramion and Nithoniel stood aside, comprehending the issue at hand and what was involved, although still pointing their arrows at the Gondorian guards.

Eodwyn was strong for a man, but even in his fury, he was no match for an elf trained to fight with cold and deadly precision. And worse for Eodwyn, this particular elf happened to be the Marchwarden of Lorien, an elf whose strength was already legendary. Knowing this, Elladan worried for Eodwyn, knowing that Haldir could very well snap the man's neck easily.

Eodwyn grunted and lunged at Haldir, using the momentum of surprise. In an explosion of movement, Eodwyn rammed into Haldir's side and with all his might tried to bring the elf flat on his back. But Haldir swiftly and gracefully avoided the man's attack, instead ducking behind Eodwyn, placing a strong neckhold on the man. But Eowdyn had correctly guessed Haldir's intent and slipped beneath Haldir's arm, turning to face Haldir instead, rage and fury distorting his face. Eodwyn's hands reached for Haldir's throat, but the elf was too swift and in a sudden turn parried Eodwyn's move forward, using his arms to deflect Eodwyn's hands. Haldir grabbed Eodwyn's wrists and painfully twisted Eodwyn's arms behind his back, and flipped the Man down to the ground. Suddenly, Eodwyn found himself knocked against the solid earth with stunning force, his head throbbing painfully from the impact and his vision slightly blurred. Panting, Eodwyn tried to move, but found his arms painfully pinned beneath his own weight. Looking up he saw Haldir standing above him, waiting, ready to attack. Knowing he had the disadvantage, Eodwyn slumped against the hard earth and gasped, waiting for what he knew not. In a moment he heard Elladan speak.

"Haldir! "Elladan shouted again, "desist!" Elladan's voice was strained and his eyes went to Vaniel who still sat on the ground, watching the unfolding scene with fear and worry.

Elladan's voice registered and Haldir made a move to turn to Vaniel, but the Man took advantage and brought his feet 'round to Haldir's legs and tried to trip up the elf. Haldir stumbled from the unexpected obstacle and whirled swiftly to see Eodwyn, panting, coming slowly to his feet.

"Eodwyn!" Elladan now called to Eodwyn, worried things were beginning to get out of control.

But Eodwyn was beyond hearing Elladan. His entire being was focused on Haldir.

Lunging toward the elf again, Haldir tried to evade the man, but abruptly found that Eodwyn had anticipated the move all too well and felt Eodwyn's hands on his neck. The man squeezed with all of his might and Haldir felt the air being squeezed out of his lungs. Giving one massive lunge, Haldir brought his arms down on Eodwyn's wrists, trying to break the man's hold. The parry worked and Eodwyn's hold was broken, Haldir doubling over but feeling that Eodwyn advanced upon him. He turned, still gasping for air and saw Eodwyn draw away from him.

It was then that things went from serious to grave.

Staring Haldir in the face, muttering Gondorian curses, Eodwyn drew his sword. Haldir watched the man impassively, following the movement of Eodwyn's hand. The man moved slowly sideways and then parried with the sword held high above his head. Haldir countered immediately by trying to knock the sword out of the man's hand, taking Eodwyn's arm and twisting it behind his body as Haldir brought his knee up toward the Man's elbow. Haldir repeatedly shoved his knee into Eodwyn's body, trying to force the man to drop the weapon But Haldir not only meant to knock the sword out of the man's hand, he also meant to disable the man for good, and knew he was close to breaking the man's arm. Yet, Eodwyn resisted.

"Cur!" Eodwyn's curse beneath his breath and Haldir knew what the oath meant. "I will win, by feat or in deed, I always win!" Eodwyn's face was deep red from the effort of keeping Haldir at bay.

But Elladan had had enough of this, "Eodwyn, enough, drop the sword, or I will let Haldir break your arm!" His gray eyes flashed and he looked from Haldir to Eodwyn.

Eodwyn finally calmed, the blinding jealousy and fury that guided him beginning to wane at the sound of Elladan's more rational voice. Yet, the fact that the elf was barely winded infuriated Eodwyn, still he let the tension drain from him, allowing himself to relax.

Sensing this, Haldir released Eodwyn, waiting for the man to drop the sword and walk away from it. Once Eodwyn had turned back to his men, Haldir calmly and confidently walked to Vaniel and kneeled before her. He took her into his arms, yet very aware of what was happening behind him.

Vaniel sighed and closed her eyes, as she heard Haldir whisper that all would be well. But she shook her head slowly, the sense of doom now fully returned.

Standing and rubbing his arms, Eodwyn glared at Haldir who had his back turned, "This is not over yet, elf. Remember what I said, by feat or by deed, I always win!" Turning on his heels, he left the grove, his men following quickly behind him.

Ramion and Nithoniel lowered their arrows and stood back. Elladan watched the couple and shook his head. This needed sorting out.

Throwing Haldir's clothes toward him, Elladan turned to leave. "Get dressed," adding, "and both of you are to see me. I shall be with Elessar. Tell the guards of the Palace, for they will expect you."

Like Eodwyn, Elladan turned abruptly and left. Ramion and Nithoniel also took their leave, jumping into the branches of overhead trees and silently disappearing, but still keeping watch in case Eodwyn or his men returned.

Turning to Nithoniel, Ramion said, " 'Tis going to be a long day."

Nithoniel smiled, his eyes never leaving the secluded spot where his Captain and their Lady remained.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Key:

Elessar - Aragorn

{To be continued...}